Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu has been given the go-ahead for a charity match that will see his club Portsmouth go up against a team of African all-stars.
The match will see Africa’s top Premiership players in action, with stars such as Arsenal duo Kolo Toure from the Ivory Coast and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor playing alongside Chelsea’s Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien and Senegal pair Amady Faye and Diomansy Kamara.
A contingent of Nigerian players are also set to take to the field, with Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha and Middles-brough striker Yakubu rum-oured to be eager to join the ‘Friends of Kanu’ side for the day. Proceeds from the event are to go to Kanu’s own charity, the Kanu Heart Foundation, which provides funds for African children with heart defects and other cardiac ailments.
The ex-Arsenal striker began raising money for heart charities when he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart defect in 1996 while undergoing a routine medical exam as part of a transfer from Inter Milan to Ajax.
He survived the scare after being flown to the US for major surgery. Kanu later returned to full fitness and signed for London club Arsenal, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
Kanu, who is originally from Owerri in Nigeria, moved to West Bromwich Albion where he struggled to make an impact over two seasons, and then to Portsmouth where he has surprised many by enjoying something of an Indian summer, notching up an impressive 12 premiership goals this season.
But despite scoring regularly for Pompey, the club has stalled contract negotiations, with the 30-year-old striker believed to be looking for a two-year extension while the board is only willing offer 12 months.
The charity match, which will see Portsmouth’s players take to the field during what would be their time off, may be the club’s way of sweetening their deal, and it could well lead to Kanu putting his name to the dotted line of a one-year contract in the coming weeks.
Kanu is the most decorated African player in the history of the game, picking up two African Player of the Year titles along with Uefa Champion’s League, Uefa Cup, FA Cup and Premiership winners’ medals. He also became an Olympic gold medallist when Nigeria took the top spot at the Atlanta games in 1996.
The charity match will take place in Fratton Park on Sunday 20 May with tickets available from the Portsmouth website and ticket office.
A contingent of Nigerian players are also set to take to the field, with Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha and Middles-brough striker Yakubu rum-oured to be eager to join the ‘Friends of Kanu’ side for the day. Proceeds from the event are to go to Kanu’s own charity, the Kanu Heart Foundation, which provides funds for African children with heart defects and other cardiac ailments.
The ex-Arsenal striker began raising money for heart charities when he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart defect in 1996 while undergoing a routine medical exam as part of a transfer from Inter Milan to Ajax.
He survived the scare after being flown to the US for major surgery. Kanu later returned to full fitness and signed for London club Arsenal, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
Kanu, who is originally from Owerri in Nigeria, moved to West Bromwich Albion where he struggled to make an impact over two seasons, and then to Portsmouth where he has surprised many by enjoying something of an Indian summer, notching up an impressive 12 premiership goals this season.
But despite scoring regularly for Pompey, the club has stalled contract negotiations, with the 30-year-old striker believed to be looking for a two-year extension while the board is only willing offer 12 months.
The charity match, which will see Portsmouth’s players take to the field during what would be their time off, may be the club’s way of sweetening their deal, and it could well lead to Kanu putting his name to the dotted line of a one-year contract in the coming weeks.
Kanu is the most decorated African player in the history of the game, picking up two African Player of the Year titles along with Uefa Champion’s League, Uefa Cup, FA Cup and Premiership winners’ medals. He also became an Olympic gold medallist when Nigeria took the top spot at the Atlanta games in 1996.
The charity match will take place in Fratton Park on Sunday 20 May with tickets available from the Portsmouth website and ticket office.
